American-Palestinian Teenager Freed After Nine-Month Period in Israeli Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American teenager having endured nine months in Israel's custody absent formal charges was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old during his detention last February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.
The US state department expressed satisfaction with the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
Family described him as visibly pale and thin, while battling health issues contracted in captivity.
Via family representatives, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "immense relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"Currently, our priority is ensuring Mohammed receives urgent medical care necessary for his recovery after experiencing Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances for months."
US officials announced ongoing to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration considers paramount to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
Several congressional representatives endorsed a document to diplomatic officials and the administration, requesting additional efforts for his freedom.
Mr Ibrahim, parent of four children who runs an ice cream business in Florida, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, learning information solely what had happened to him through judicial records.
He stayed absent formal charges within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
The facility also contains mature inmates, including individuals found guilty regarding severe security violations and homicide.
An estimated 350 Palestinian minors in security custody being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.
Numerous remain uncharged while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, say some have suffered abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, Mr Kadur said the family would also continue fighting seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.
This young American-Palestinian per medical officials died from beating by settlement residents during a confrontation last July.
During that period, the Israeli military said they were examining accounts of a Palestinian had been killed.
The two cousins collaborated in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No charges have been filed for the cousin's murder.
"We expect US authorities to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.